Mount! Fans can't decide if they love or hate Jilly Cooper's new book cover

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The cover for Jilly Cooper’s latest book Mount! has been released – and fans aren’t quite sure what to make of it.

The characteristically racy design shows a man, clad in white trousers and riding boots, with a prominent “bulge” on display.

“I am *thrilled* to share with you the cover of my book Mount! which is out in the UK on September 8,” Cooper wrote in a Facebook post today. “I'd love to hear your thoughts!”

Some readers have already started salivating over the forthcoming title, pre-ordering their copy online – but others have complained that the cover image doesn’t compare favourably to previous Cooper artworks, with the outfit of the man attracting particular criticism.

“Wished they had used real riding books in the picture if I have to nitpik [SIC]...looks a bit BDSM (which won't be too far out of Ruperts catchbasin),” wrote one Facebook fan.

“What's with the latex boots?!?! Not the best cover!” complained another.

Others, however, pointed out that the shiny black boots shown on the cover are similar to those traditionally worn by jockeys.

Mount! will reprise one of the author’s most popular characters: archetypal cad Rupert Campbell-Black, who first appeared in 1986’s Riders. Mount! will be his 10th outing – and, like its predecessors, will be set in the fictional county of Rutshire.

In the new book, Rupert will be 60, and obsessed with his aptly named horse Love Rat, which he’s taking on a round-the-world-tour. Cooper previously told The Telegraph that the novel will be picking up with Rupert's generations of love children.

The 79-year-old author has also promised her fans that there will be “lots of nookie” in the story.

Last year, a re-issued edition of Riders caused controversy after the original cover artwork - which depicts a man's hand, suggestively draped over the buttocks of his female companion - was apparently sanitised, with the hand moved to chastely rest higher-up, nearer to the woman's hip.

“The hand is going back for the next reprint," Cooper said at the time, in response to the widespread outrage. "I think it's [the return of] the Victorian generation. Political correctness has really done for us."